behind-the-scenes

adjective

be·​hind-the-scenes bi-ˈhīnd-ṯẖə-ˈsēnz 

bē-

1

: being or working out of public view or in secret

behind-the-scenes lobbying for more money

a behind-the-scenes player

2

: revealing or reporting the hidden workings

a behind-the-scenes account

a behind-the-scenes glimpse

Synonyms

• confidential
• esoteric
• hush-hush
• hushed
• inside
• intimate
• nonpublic
• private
• privy
• secret

Examples of behind-the-scenes in a Sentence

a tell-all book about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that got him the vice presidential nomination

behind-the-scenes negotiations that resulted in the hostages being released unharmed

Recent Examples on the Web

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, celebrated the news that the first products of her latest venture will become available for purchase this week by sharing a behind-the-scenes image on her Instagram page on March 31. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Each week throughout March, talent—everyone from rising beauty brand founders, to behind-the-scenes PR mavens—will discuss their career journeys, biggest inspirations, and more. —Tira Urquhart, Essence, 31 Mar. 2025

Newsletter Get our high school sports newsletter Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025

James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, released a second behind-the-scenes photo of Milly Alcock from Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, building anticipation for the film’s presentation at Warner Bros. —Robert Lang, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for behind-the-scenes

• catecholamines
• phenothiazines
• alkenes
• amines
• benzenes
• canteens
• convenes
• cosines
• cuisines
• eumenes
• hellenes
• latrines